Timing Cover Oil Mods + a OP Gauge ?

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by Quick Buick, May 21, 2019.

  1. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    Is there any Modifications that could or should be done to the TC? Ive looked cant find anything or I just missed the posting..

    I'll be doing these block mods http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/400-430-455-block-id-prep-and-oiling-mods.214613/


    Also would it be better to run the OP gauge off the rear of the block instead of the factory location? Dont really what to run the two together rather run 2 gauges. or the idiot and a gauge..

    FWIW I bored the Block 30 over yesterday honing today..
     
  2. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/OilingMods.htm

    Read this, it's a great write up for timing cover mods. Ive done these mods and my NOS cover was within 2 psi of a fully prepped TA cover.
    The rear oil port will kinda give you a "worst case" reading. If you have the engine out anyway, I recommend it. If your pressure is good there, you should be in tall cotton.
     
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  3. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    Thanks Shawn
     
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  4. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    You're Welcome!
     
  5. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    I kinda like that "worst case" reading.. tells me how my bearings are doing.. Another 2 thumbs up for you.. I like the term "worst case''
     
  6. alvareracing

    alvareracing Platinum Level Contributor

    we picked up 30% more volume by opening up and rounding off the 90 degree turn, inlet and outlet and thru that pump. Took a lot of time doing it and testing it for verification. I wish I had a picture of my pump all hooked up running hot oil thru it on the bench with a gauge, timing how long we run it and then measuring the amount of oil it ran thru it. It was also was a good way to see what each color spring would do to the pressure. Done this same test with various water pumps for the turbo V6 with Gary Harmon (TSL class winner). We run these pumps mounted on the Bridgeport at various speeds measuring and timing the amount of fluid they would pump. We learned a bunch, on both pumps doing all this stuff!
    Fernando
     
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  7. hwprouty

    hwprouty Platinum Level Contributor

    Did you HAVE to bore it .030 over or was that to fit your pistons?
    I thought that block looked very clean!?
     
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  8. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    Block is great bored it to make the new pistons fit.
    Won’t be getting to honing today. Shop got swamped with paying customers

    Machinist/builder is a friend so help out in the shop. My motor is on slow simmer.
     
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  9. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I have both a front and rear oil pressure gauge in mine, kinda interesting to see whats going on in the front and rear of the engine,plus look at whatever gauge makes you feel better as far as the pressure goes:p
     
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  10. Grandpas67

    Grandpas67 Well-Known Member

    Out of curiosity, where would the sending unit go if you read the back of the block?
     
  11. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    There's a pipe plug on the back of the block that plugs the oil galley. You use a 90 degree elbow and drill a home for the line to pass through the webbing of the block. Not much room for a sending unit, so I believe the only choice is a mechanical gauge (at least that's what I did). I have pictures of mine somewhere but I also believe it's on George N's website.

    ETA: in this pic you can see the braided line running into the hole on my engine on the upper left rear. (The line is coiled up around the valve cover breather)

    IMG_20140628_134851738.jpg
     
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  12. alvareracing

    alvareracing Platinum Level Contributor

    Grandpas67 here is a better pic of the rear passenger side oil galley, where to tab from. There are a few different ways how to get there, I choose straight up but requires machining that rear portion of the block. IMG_0006 (2).JPG there is limited amount of room back there, so to run a sending unit you would have to extend that port with a tube up top and then connect the sender up there behind the intake manifold. Most of us just use a mechanical gauge back there. Hope this helps.
    Fernando
     
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  13. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

  14. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    So it is safe to open up the discharge hole from .470" to .530"? (the upper hole with the arrow pointing away)
    [​IMG]

    I'm reading it is posseble, but I'm still somewhat hesitant. Also afraid to drill misaligned and ruining my cover. It is a 30% increase in surface area, but is it really noticable?
     
  15. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Is it safe? Absolutely as long as you drill straight and to the right depth! Is it noticeable? All these improvement as a package definitely are. As far as leaving one piece of the puzzle out and being as effective, I couldnt tell ya. But remember in a fluid system, a restriction is a restriction no matter where it is. I dont think your pressure will be tanked if you dont do this portion of the mod, though I also dont think its that big of a deal to do it. But if you're uncomfortable with your ability to do it correctly, a sub-optimal timing cover beats a scrapped one any day I suppose.
     
  16. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    Well, I decided to go for it. Went just a little bit astray, but all went well, so I'm happy :)
     
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